Maple Cranberry with Goat Cheese Filling Recipe

Muffins are a delightful treat that can brighten up your mornings and add a touch of sweetness to your day.

If you’re looking for a unique twist on traditional muffins, then you’re in for a treat with our Maple-Cranberry Muffins with Goat Cheese Filling recipe.

These muffins combine the comforting flavors of maple syrup and cranberries with a surprising and creamy goat cheese center. They’re the perfect blend of sweet and savory, making them an ideal choice for breakfast, brunch, or a tasty snack. Let’s get baking!

Ingredients

3/4 cup crumbled (about 3 oz) dried cranberry-covered goat cheese, softened (alternately, add 2 Tbsp dried cranberries to 3 oz plain goat cheese)

1 Tbsp pure maple syrup

1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 cups white whole wheat flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

2 large eggs

1 large egg white

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

1 tsp maple extract

1 cup milk (I used skim, but buttermilk, 1%, or non-dairy milk would suffice)

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 cup dried cranberries

Instructions

1. Prepare the Goat Cheese Filling

In a small bowl, combine the softened goat cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Place the mixture in the refrigerator while you prepare the muffin batter.

2. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease the cups with cooking spray.

3. Prepare the Muffin Batter

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter, maple syrup, milk, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.

Gently fold in the dried cranberries into the muffin batter.

4. Fill the Muffin Cups

Spoon a small amount of muffin batter into each muffin cup, filling it about one-third full.

Make a small well in the center of each muffin using the back of a spoon.

Take the goat cheese filling from the refrigerator and place a teaspoonful into the well of each muffin.

Top each muffin with the remaining batter, covering the goat cheese filling completely.

5. Bake the Muffins

Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the muffin (not the goat cheese filling) comes out clean.

6. Cool and Serve

Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

7. Enjoy

Serve these delightful Maple-Cranberry Muffins with Goat Cheese Filling as a delicious breakfast treat or a delightful snack. The combination of sweet maple, tart cranberries, and creamy goat cheese is sure to please your taste buds.

The sweet and creamy filling is a lovely complement to the light and spongy muffins, which are made with white whole wheat flour.  Unsweetened applesauce stands in for oil and pure maple syrup replaces refined sugar, making these tasty muffins a smart choice.

Bake a batch of these muffins on Friday morning, and everyone will come flocking to the kitchen!

Estimated Nutrition per serving

These nutrition values are approximate and can vary depending on the specific ingredients and brands used in the recipe. Please adjust them accordingly if you have dietary restrictions or are using alternative ingredients. Enjoy your Maple-Cranberry Muffins with Goat Cheese Filling!